Lions Earn Berth into NCAA Tournament, Will Face #17 Western Kentucky

LMU made the tournament for the first time since 2005.

The LMU volleyball team, led by third-year head coach Tom Black, will make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005 this year after earning an at-large bid into the field of 64 on Sunday afternoon. LMU is one of six teams from the WCC to make the field, matching the most-ever for the conference set in 2003.

In addition to the Lions, BYU, Pepperdine, San Diego, Saint Mary's and Santa Clara will represent the WCC.

"We are thrilled to be a part of this year's NCAA tournament," Black said. "This is a big step for our program, and I am so excited and proud of what all our players and staff worked to accomplish this year. We believe the WCC has prepared us well, as indicated by so many deserving teams entering from our conference. We're looking forward to getting after it in practice this week, and facing a tough Western Kentucky squad on Friday."

LMU finished the 2012 regular season with an 18-12 overall record and an 8-8 mark in the WCC. The 18 victories are the most since the 2006 squad posted 19.

The Lions will open tournament play on Friday at 5:30 p.m. against Western Kentucky (32-3) - the 17th-ranked team in the nation. The matchup will be the first in program history against the Lady Toppers. WKU will be making its seventh trip to the NCAA Tournament and third-consecutive appearance after sweeping the Sun Belt Conference Tournament last weekend. The match will be hosted on the campus of Stanford University, who will also welcome Jackston State.